Back in Junior High, a new club was started at my school called Bulldog Buddies. I had heard it was a class where General Education students got the opportunity to meet and spend time with Special Education students that otherwise would be unlikely. It sounded very similar to a club my older brother was involved in at our local Highschool called Best Buddies. I decided to step out of my comfort zone and attend the inaugural meeting which turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Over the course of 7th and 8th grade, I attended every meeting and grew very close with one of the students named Dillon. Dillon has Down syndrome, and was one of the brightest personalities I had ever met. Every time I had a bad day he would cheer me up and vice versa, so it was a mutualistic, fun relationship. Upon my arrival to Highschool, I knew right away I wanted to join best buddies and meet even more new friends. That's when I was assigned to my buddy in the picture, whose name is Jack. While I didn't forget about Dillon, he was still in Junior High so I needed a new buddy.

Over the 4 years of Highschool, Jack and I would spend time at club parties, outside of school, and at our team football practices. Jack made everyone around him smile at all times and I was proud to call him my friend. Jack inspired me to pursue a leadership role in the club, so I ran for Vice President my junior year. After my election, I was overjoyed that I was able to work for the club and try to get as many other people as possible to share the fun times I was having. I went on to run for and win president my senior year of Highschool which I am proud of to this day.

After my years of experience in Junior and Highschool, I am excited to work with a similar club here at UGA called Extra Special People. The bonds that I have made with special education students that I normally would not have the chance to are amazing, and I want others to be able to experience the same joy that I get from working with these clubs. Some people may look at spending time with special education students as a chore or odd, and that could not be further from the truth. To me, it is almost a privilege, and the countless hours of fun that I have had through my time working with special education students can all be accredited to these programs. I encourage everyone to go out to your local program that supports this and experience it for yourself before making any judgement, because before you know it you will be having the time of your life.